HOMILY OF 28TH THURSDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY OF 28TH THURSDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “BLESSED BE GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Ephesians 1:1-10, Ps. 98:1-6, Luke 11:47-54
The beautiful hymn from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a wonderful piece of prayerful praise and thanksgiving to God for the gifts of creation and redemption. It is a hymn in praise of God who gave us life; He gives us life not only in the natural realm, but also, in the spiritual realm, where in Christ Jesus, we are made God’s adopted children, made to His likeness, so that we may share in Christ’s eternal inheritance. God made us for Himself, not selfishly, but rather, generously, so that we may be more fully what we are created to be. Christ paid the ultimate price for the freedom that is ours as God’s adopted children. He also unites us all under God’s reign and brings us into his saving mission, so that we too may bring others with us through our Christian witness.
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As we do that, we must shun hypocrisy, self-righteousness, injustice and bigotry, the type that pitched the pharisees and lawyers against Jesus in the gospel reading. Deception and violence are not viable religious options for the propagation of one’s faith, no matter how often they have been used for that purpose in past and present times. Authentic religion thrives on truth; it is deep rooted in the heart of the human person and yields fruits of love and positive action in relation to fellow human beings. Such religion is expressed in a confession of faith that reflects real interior purity and is manifested in corresponding good works. St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose feast we celebrate today, was a renowned Early Church Father, a bishop, who spent his life working for the unity of the Church, especially, local churches around their bishops, as true replicas and exemplars of the Body of Christ. He was always very gracious in the service of God and the Church; the people of God. He was also known to have been so focused on our Christian destiny and heavenly home that he persistently dissuaded anyone from saving him from persecution and martyrdom, if that be his portion. He embraced his martyrdom with joy and an open heart, in anticipation of his meeting with his Lord. He understood what it meant to be sown like a grain of wheat in order to be raised up to new life like the plant that rises from the dead seed. Such understanding endows us with the boldness we need to live out, and witness to, our Christian faith. He is a true example of discipleship to all, especially, when it comes to being fully committed to God’s work here on earth, while keeping our eyes on heaven.
Lord, draws us into closer intimacy with you. Amen.
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